Underground infrastructure company Michels Trenchless has announced the merger of two of its in-house design and engineering firms.
J.D. Hair & Associates, a trusted leader in trenchless, geotechnical and structural engineering, has merged with Mi-Tech Services, a full-service engineering, design, and construction services firm. The combined organisation will operate under the Mi-Tech name and immediately deliver an expanded suite of services to clients.
This strategic merger marks a major milestone, combining decades of expertise across trenchless, structural, utility and infrastructure engineering, design, and construction. United under the Michels Family of Companies, an international leader in energy and infrastructure construction, the combined firm is positioned to deliver unmatched capabilities and value to clients.
“By joining forces, we are not only expanding Mi-Tech’s technical capabilities, but we are also enhancing the value we deliver to customers through broader service offerings and increased opportunities for advanced alternative delivery solutions,” said Pat Michels, President and CEO of Michels Corporation.
Mi-Tech was founded in 1985 as Data-Tel Communications. In 1999, Michels acquired Data-Tel and renamed it Mi-Tech Services, Inc. Since then, Mi-Tech has grown to more than 200 employees across eight offices and has expanded its services to include telecommunications, energy design, surveying, land services, laboratory services, and a variety of construction services.
J.D. Hair & Associates was founded in 1987 and is widely recognised as a pioneer in trenchless engineering and design, specializing in horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and underground infrastructure solutions. J.D. Hair & Associates was acquired by Michels in 2021 and has since expanded its portfolio to include geotechnical and structural engineering services. The firm has grown to 35 employees across four offices and was recently recognised by Trenchless Technology as one of the top 50 trenchless engineering firms in North America.
The newly integrated firm is positioned to deliver comprehensive support across multiple industries, with a sharp focus on efficiency, constructability, and long-term value. As part of the Michels Family of Companies, Mi-Tech partners with an internationally respected team to provide end-to-end solutions for complex, multi-faceted projects, upholding the highest standards of safety, quality, and performance.
Tim Babich, previously Vice President of Engineering at Michels, has been appointed President of Mi-Tech. Since joining Michels in 2018, Babich has brought nearly two decades of engineering and construction expertise to the organisation. Most importantly, all employees from both firms have been retained and unified within the combined organisation, ensuring seamless continuity of service and safeguarding the deep institutional knowledge that clients trust and depend on.
“Merging J.D. Hair & Associates with Mi-Tech is a natural evolution of our shared commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability,” Babich said. “Together, our team brings complementary expertise that enables us to address complex utility and infrastructure challenges with greater resources, efficiency, and innovation.”
